17However, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies.

18Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but keeping God's commandments.

20Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called.

21Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.

22For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.

23Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men.

24Let each, wherein he is called, brethren, therein abide with God.

25But concerning virgins, I have no commandment of [the] Lord; but I give my opinion, as having received mercy of [the] Lord to be faithful.

26I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so as he is.

27Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; art thou free from a wife? do not seek a wife.

28But if thou shouldest also marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, they have not sinned: but such shall have tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you.

29But this I say, brethren, the time is straitened. For the rest, that they who have wives, be as not having [any]:

30and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as not rejoicing; and they that buy, as not possessing;

31and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.

32But I wish you to be without care. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;

33but he that has married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his wife.

34There is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that has married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please her husband.

35But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on the Lord without distraction.

36But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.

37But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well.

38So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.

39A wife is bound for whatever time her husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in [the] Lord.

40But she is happier if she so remain, according to my judgment; but I think that *I* also have God's Spirit.